Kerala - Kochi

‘Post-matric hostels in the district in pathetic condition’

KOCHI: The condition of the post-matric hostels in the district is no better than that of the one in Kollam which made headlines recently, said representatives of the Bharatheeya Pattika Jana Samajam. Addressing a press meet here on Tuesday, district secretary of the samajam Sajiv Pinarmunda said that basic living facilities and hygiene were missing in the hostels for the Scheduled categories throughout the State.

The samajam will take out a march to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Development Office at the civil station on Thursday.

“The hostel for boys at the Foreshore Road here is in a pathetic condition with unhygienic toilets and kitchen. Water is inadequate in the hostel and often students do not get enough water for their daily needs.

The mess hall is in a dilapidated condition, so are the toilets. The toilets do not even have proper lighting,” he said

Mr. Pinarmunda said that 46 students are living in the hostel, which has the facilities to accommodate much lesser numbers.

The condition of the girls’ hostel is no better. The safety of the inmates is also a concern as there is no guard or warden at the hostel during night, he said.

Proper maintenance is not carried out at the existing hostel on the excuse of building new facilities, he said.

The Minister for the Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes should resign owning responsibility for the appalling conditions of the hostels, said the Samajam representatives.

The officials of the department are neither concerned about the welfare of the Scheduled category, nor are they performing their duties, they said. Raju Kumbalan, State organising secretary, P. K. Pankajakshan, district president, and Pradeep K. Kunnukara, State secretary, were also present. .

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